Namibia is seeking to expand economic cooperation with Russia across several strategic sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, digital technologies and innovation as the government works to strengthen industrial development and trade partnerships.
International Relations and Trade Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi said collaboration in agriculture and agro processing could focus on fertiliser supply, agricultural technologies, storage infrastructure, green schemes, feedlot development and food processing industries aimed at strengthening food security.
She said Namibia also sees opportunities for cooperation in manufacturing and logistics aimed at strengthening transport systems, expanding logistics infrastructure and supporting the country’s role as a regional trade corridor linking Southern Africa to international markets.
“In Agriculture and Agro-processing, opportunities exist for collaboration in fertiliser supply, agricultural technologies, storage infrastructure, green schemes and feedlots development and food processing industries that can strengthen food security and support,” Ashipala-Musavyi said.
This comes as government and business leaders met in Windhoek on Friday for the Namibia-Russia Business Forum held alongside the 11th meeting of the Namibia-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation.
Economic relations between Namibia and Russia remain relatively modest as Namibia’s exports to Russia in 2024 mainly consisted of fisheries products valued at US$ 3.68 million and horticultural goods including grapes and dates valued at US$ 1.462 million.
Imports from Russia largely comprised agricultural inputs such as fertilisers and cereals including wheat and meslin valued at approximately US$ 13.853 million.
“In Manufacturing and Logistics, there are strong prospects for cooperation aimed at strengthening transport systems, expanding logistics infrastructure, and enhancing Namibia’s role as a regional trade corridor linking Southern Africa to global markets,” Ashipala-Musavyi said.
Overall bilateral trade in 2024 reflected Namibia importing approximately US$ 39.5 million worth of goods from Russia while exporting around US$ 13 million.
The government said expanding economic cooperation forms part of Namibia’s broader strategy aimed at economic diversification, industrialisation and the development of competitive industries integrated into regional and global value chains.
“Namibia remains firmly committed to economic transformation, industrialisation, and sustainable development. Our national development agenda prioritises economic diversification, through value addition to our natural resources, and the development of competitive industries capable of integrating into regional and global value chains,” Ashipala-Musavyi said.
Officials said engagement between businesses and institutions from both countries is expected to support technology transfer, strengthen value chains and facilitate investment partnerships in the identified sectors.
Government said these partnerships are expected to support industrial development and expand Namibia’s export capacity as the country seeks to broaden its economic cooperation with international partners.
